Although this medical practice has been around for a while, not many people know that plastic surgery dates back to two millenia ago, in India. It has just caught fire in the 19th and 20th century because surgeries before were definitely not a safe procedure. Perhaps, St. Ignatius of Loyola is one of the first few people who had plastic surgery done purely for aesthetic reasons — his leg was hurt in the war and he did not like his limp, it did not do well with the ladies.

There are two main kinds of plastic surgery: reconstructive surgery, and cosmetic surgery. There is no definite black and white when separating the two types as they generally include techniques from both fields. Reconstructive surgery is usually employed for medical purposes, and some common examples include:

* cleft lip surgery

* breast reconstruction surgery for those who have had mastectomy

* contracture surgery for burn survivors

* sex reassignment surgery

Cosmetic surgery on the other had, is done mostly for aesthetic enhancement.

When one is considering cosmetic surgery, it is best to be extremely careful in choosing a doctor as less than skillful hands can mar the body and self-esteem for life. All types of surgery always include a considerable amount of risk. Remember, cheaper is not necessarily more value, and second, even third opinions are helpful. Listen to receommendations of friends and select from the members of a certified and accredited medical organization such as the American Society of Plastic Surgery, which must be recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. There are actually other laypersons who have created their own credible-sounding organization to lure in unsuspecting patients. Make sure you pick on a plastic surgeon with appropriate credentials. Take a look at their portfolio of patients, their before and after pictures to get a grasp of what you're getting into. Don't be afraid to communicate with the surgeon in order to avoid any miscommunication or mistakes.

Different types of cosmetic surgery include:

* Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)

* Liposuction

* Collagen, fat, and other tissue filler injections

* Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)

* Mastoplexy (breast lift)

* Nose job (rhinoplasty)

* Cheek augmentation

* Chin augmentation

* Breast reduction/enlargement (augmentation mammaplasty)

* Buttock augmentation

There are some people who actually become addicted to cosmetic surgery. These people are diagnosed with a body dysmorphic disorder, which involves having a disturbed body image. People who have these are extremely critical of their appearance, causing them to have repeated cosmetic surgeries, which in turn can cause irreparable damage to their human body structure. This disease can affect one in 50 people.

Cosmetic surgery can cause people to have a "rejuvenated" self-image although it is necessary to take caution and not go overboard with too many procedures. It can turn into an ugly, costly, and irreversible addiction.

If one is interested in having their physical appearance augmented, one must consider the following seriously:

* The surgeon. Choose one with the necessary qualifications and ask around if necessary. Rely on your gut feeling. You shouldn't have to feel suspicious about anything.

* The procedure. Do your research so you know what you're getting into.

Remember, it's never too late to back out of what you don't feel comfortable doing, lest you're surgically inducing your way to a permanent mistake.